2026 Subaru Ascent Review: A Comfortable Yet Outdated Three-Row SUV

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      When I began this review, my friends and family weren’t overly enthusiastic about my experience with the Subaru Ascent, but I was looking forward to it. Transitioning from jarring sport compacts to a spacious, comfortable SUV certainly has its attractions, especially one that prioritizes comfort above everything else.

      Now, seven years into its lifecycle, it may be hard to fathom, the Subaru Ascent doesn’t exactly excel in comparisons—unless you’re counting cupholders. It’s not particularly enjoyable to drive, its exterior and interior clearly reflect their decade-old design, it generates a considerable amount of noise, and it features one of the most exasperating infotainment systems I’ve encountered in quite some time. Overall, it’s not the three-row SUV anyone should consider purchasing.

      Nevertheless, I felt a twinge of sadness as it left my possession. While the Ascent may lack in design and technology, it partially compensates—though not fully—with a degree of comfort and convenience. Subaru should likely consider a replacement soon, but this larger and older SUV possesses a certain, peculiar charm.

      ### Adam Ismail

      ### The Basics

      The 2026 Subaru Ascent starts at $42,245, which includes $1,450 for delivery; my top-tier Onyx Edition Touring model came to $52,615. Every Ascent trim is equipped with Subaru’s turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four—a variation of the WRX’s engine, slightly adjusted for family use—producing 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, with power sent through a CVT to all-wheel drive.

      Each Ascent features three rows of seating, with buyers given the choice of either a full second row or two captain’s chairs, depending on the selected trim. The AWD system includes X-Mode, which provides two power delivery settings—one for dirt and snow and another for deeper snow and mud. The range of standard features is commendable. Across all grades, a cold-weather package featuring heated front seats, eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, adaptive cruise control, steering-responsive headlights, power-folding mirrors, and a 5,000-pound towing capacity are included.

      ### Adam Ismail

      The dashboard is perhaps where the Ascent feels its age the most. The instrument cluster is predominantly analog, with a small screen nestled between the two gauges. Personally, I appreciate this approach; however, it does serve as an indicator of what to expect inside.

      The angular, vertical design of the dashboard and climate vents was already outdated by the time the Ascent was first released, and time certainly hasn’t been its friend. Thankfully, visibility in this vehicle is excellent, as are the materials used throughout. From the wood accents to the plush Nappa leather seats in this Touring model, everything feels high-end. Even my 5-foot-10 frame could comfortably fit in the third-row bench, although I wouldn’t want to spend extended periods back there.

      ### Adam Ismail

      And, there are cupholders—many of them. I counted a total of 19, including an unusual three for the passenger on the right side of the third row, compared to two for the left.

      The standard vertically oriented 11.6-inch central touchscreen, while included, isn’t exactly a strong point. This is Subaru’s older infotainment system, and it certainly feels outdated, with busy, vibrant graphics, noticeable lag, and a reluctance to respond to swipe and scroll commands.

      I do appreciate the numerous exterior cameras for reversing, but the default view compresses the backup camera horizontally, which distorted my perspective. You can expand it to full size with a tap, though. Adam Ismail

      I’m unsure if this is a resistive touchscreen—like the classic ones used in Palm Pilots before the iPhone revolutionized touch interaction—but it certainly feels that way. The interface is also quite confusing. The upper section of the display is reserved for customizable widgets, but I struggled to display the “fuel efficiency” widget with any relevant data. Regrettably, most climate controls are cramped together at the bottom of the panel, and in this regard, the Ascent fails to maintain its older design by omitting physical HVAC buttons, save for the temperature adjustments.

      ### Driving the 2026 Subaru Ascent Touring

      Surprise, surprise—the Ascent is designed for easy driving above all else, and it generally achieves that goal. The steering is exceptionally light, and the brake pedal has a certain elasticity, making it very responsive to even slight pressure. The ride is incredibly compliant, to the point that it can feel bouncy over potholes, especially in the Northeast during early spring. While the Ascent isn’t sporty in its handling, it doesn’t feel unwieldy or clumsy on winding roads either.

      The discussion around the powertrain, however, is a bit more intriguing.